Apparatus for parking and retrieval of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

The invention includes a device for parking vehicles for supplying and delivering at an entry/exit position, wherein the device is provided with vertically displaceable lifting devices with which one carrying platform at a time is displaceable in vertical direction. This carrying platform is intended to support a vehicle. The device also includes horizontal transporting devices for taking a platform, which may or may not be loaded with a vehicle, in horizontal direction of the vertical transporting means and carrying it into a parking position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a method for parking a vehicle, to a method forretrieving a parked vehicle and to a device for parking vehicles forsupplying and delivering at an entry/exit position.

2. Description of the Related Art

The parking of vehicles in urban areas is becoming an increasingly acuteproblem. A common solution is to build multi-storey car parks in which avehicle can be driven to a parking place. However, these car parks arelarge in size and a significant part of the volume thereof is laid outas traffic lanes whereby this space cannot be employed as useful parkingspace. Automatic car parks also exist wherein a vehicle is automaticallycarried to a parking position by transporting means designedspecifically for this purpose. In such a car park a significant part ofthe available volume is also set out with driving lanes whereby herealso the number of parking positions per unit of volume is limited. Inaddition, automatic car parks entail very costly constructions which aresusceptible to breakdown, wherein the waiting times during retrieval ofa parked vehicle can be very long.

The French patent FR-A-1536359 discloses a mechanical parking device forcars. The parking device comprises a monorail along which cars arebrought to and taken from several parking positions. The parkingpositions can be on several stores of a building in which lifting meansare required. The parking positions can also be on equal level in whichcase a monorail shunting construction is provided. Also a combination ofthe parking position configurations as mentioned above is disclosed. Adisadvantage of this construction is the complexity of constructionwhich makes the parking device voluminous in relation to the effectivevolume used for parking positions.

The present invention has for its object to provide an improved methodfor parking and retrieving a vehicle in addition to a device for parkingvehicles for supplying and delivering at an entry/exit position, withwhich vehicles can be parked and retrieved in relatively simple manner.It is of great importance here with a relatively limited investment toobtain a good ratio of the usefully employed parking volume to the totalvolume of a parking device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for this purpose methods as according toclaims 1 and 2. The invention also provides a device for parkingvehicles for supplying and delivering at an entry/exit position,comprising:

at least one parking position for a vehicle,

a carrying platform associated with each separate parking position forsupporting a vehicle,

lifting means for vertical displacement of one carrying platform at atime between the entry/exit position and a position contiguous to aparking position, and

horizontal transporting means for horizontal displacement of a carryingplatform between a position contiguous to the parking position and theparking position, wherein the carrying platform comprises a supportframe on which a carrying plate is suspended and the lifting means andthe parking position are respectively provided with horizontal guidesfor receiving the support frame and in which the support frame may besituated.

The methods and device according to the invention make it possible withcomparatively very simple means to park vehicles in parking positionswhich is contiguous to a vertical transport shaft. Use is hereby made invery efficient manner of available space for parking vehicles. Therequired entry/exit space is also very limited. The entry/exit space ofa parking device according to the invention can be embodied in the sizeof a so-called standardized parking unit. The parking device can beplaced above the entry/exit space, can be placed under the entry/exitspace (i.e. underground) or it is possible to operate a combinedunderground and aboveground parking device with the single entry/exitspace. These options make the parking device according to the inventionvery flexible and highly suitable for integration into already existingbuilding developments and infrastructure. The energy costs for the useof such a device can remain very limited on account of the comparativelyshort transport distances and the hereby limited accelerations thevehicle must undergo.

In a preferred embodiment of the parking device a vertical projection ofthe parking position on the plane through the entry/exit positioncontiguous to the entry/exit position. In another preferred embodimentat least two parking positions are located in the same plane which invertical projection on the plane through the entry/exit positioncontiguous to the opposite sides of the entry/exit position. These stepsminimize the horizontal transporting distance to displace a carrier fromthe vertical transport shaft to a parking position. This step alsooptimizes the useful use of space and also optimizes the waiting timesfor parking and retrieval of a vehicle.

In preference at least two parking positions are located verticallyabove each other. By providing the parking device with a plurality ofstoreys the total capacity of a parking device can in principle beextended without limit.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the parking device the liftingmeans comprise: a frame part, a vertical guide for guiding the framepart, a drive for displacing the frame part vertically along the guide,and coupling means for releasable coupling of the carrying platform tothe frame part. Using such a construction both the vertical andhorizontal movements can be realized in structurally very simple manner.An additional advantage is that in particular countries a carryingplatform with a suspended carrying plate falls under other legislationthan a lift construction wherein the carrying plate on which the vehiclestands supports on the vertical guide on the underside of the carryingplate. This enables a less expensive construction.

The device preferably comprises control means for displacing to theentry/exit position a carrying platform with a specific vehicle placedthereon, and displacing a non-loaded carrying platform to the entry/exitposition. A user of the parking device can go to the control means andthere for instance pull out a parking card. The control means relate theparking card to the carrier and therefore also to the vehicle parked onthe carrier. The control means then ensure that the carrying platformwith vehicle parked thereon is carried away to a parking position whichmust be stored in a memory of the control means. When the parking cardis fed once again into the control means the control means ensure thatthe associated platform is displaced from the parking position to theentry/exit position. It is also possible to charge an account of theparking card holder or to request a payment before providing access tothe entry/exit position.

The invention also relates to a parking assembly with at least twoparking devices, wherein the parking assembly is a modular constructionof parking device modules, each parking device module comprises at leastall the elements of the parking devices disclosed above.

By means of the modular construction a parking assembly can be combinedand/or replaced in very simple manner which is optimal in a specificsituation of use. This does not require any further specific costs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further elucidated with reference to thenon-limitative embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a parking device according to theinvention,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of horizontal transporting meansaccording to the invention,

FIG. 3 shows several side views and a top view of a number ofalternative parking devices according to the invention,

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a combination of two parking devicesaccording to the invention,

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a combination of four parking devicesaccording to the invention,

FIG. 6 shows a top view of an alternative combination of six parkingdevices according to the invention,

FIG. 7 shows two side views and a top view of another alternativecombination of three parking devices according to the invention,

FIG. 8 shows yet another alternative combination of a number of parkingdevices according to the invention,

FIG. 9 shows a side view of two different parking devices according tothe invention, and

FIG. 10 shows a top view of yet another combination of six parkingdevices according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a parking device 1 in which five parking positions 2 arearranged. A vehicle 3 is driven into an entry/exit space 4 such that itis placed on a carrying plate 5. This latter is suspended from a framepart 7 using cables or rods 6 (referred to hereinbelow as rods 6). Usinga motor 8 and cables 9 the frame part 7 is vertically displaceable alongvertical guides 10. Frame part 7 is herein provided with horizontalguides 11. In the horizontal guides 11 of frame part 7 is received asupport frame 12 on which the rods 6 of carrying plate 5 engage. Thatis, support frame 12 is connected to carrying plate 5 by rods 6. Byoperating the motor 8 the frame part 7 can be displaced in verticaldirection such that support frame 12 is contiguous to horizontal guide13 forming part of a parking position 2. By means of horizontaldisplacing means 16, which will be further elucidated in FIG. 2, supportframe 12 can be displaced out of frame part 7 in horizontal directionuntil it is situated in the horizontal guide 13 of parking position 2.The carrying plate 5 suspended below support frame 12 and having vehicle3 resting thereon is then also situated in the parking position 2. Forthe sake of clarity a carrying plate 5 and a support frame 12 connectedthereto by means of rods 6 are shown in this figure only in one parkingposition 2. It will however be apparent that all parking positions 2 areprovided with a support frame 12 with associated carrying plate 5, withthe exception of one parking position 2. The support frame 12 withcarrying plate 5 forming part of the empty parking position 2 issituated in the entry/exit space 4. As soon as the empty parkingposition has been filled, and the vehicle 3 is thus situated in theparking position, the frame part 7 can be placed in a position such thatit is contiguous to support frame 12 associated with a carrying plate 5which is empty when a subsequent vehicle must be placed in the parkingdevice 1 or contiguous to a support frame 12 with an associated carryingplate 5 on which a specific vehicle is standing which at that momentmust be taken out of the parking device 1. It is noted that access doors(not shown in this figure) are arranged at the front and rear of theentry/exit space 4. The frame part 7 can only be displaced when thesedoors are closed. It will be apparent that this step has been taken witha view to safety aspects. Also shown in this figure are schematiccontrol means 14 which are located in a space 15 specifically adaptedfor this purpose. This space 15 is not essential. The control area 15can also be employed as parking position 2. It is possible to embody theparking device 1 in modular form, wherein a parking device moduleconsists for instance of two layers, i.e. it then has only two storeysinstead of the three storeys shown in this figure.

FIG. 2 shows the horizontal displacing means 16, wherein a motor 17drives a pulley 18 whereby a rope, chain or belt 19 runs. A spindleconstruction can also be employed for this purpose. The hook 22 as shownin this figure is directed upward, which means that it can co-act withan eye 21 mounted on a support frame 12 forming part of a parkingposition 2 which is located above entry/exit space 4. A hook 22 whichcan co-act with a support frame 12 forming part of a parking position 2located beneath entry/exit space 4 must protrude downward. For simpleassembly of a parking device 1 it is possible to opt for a T-shapedembodiment of the hook 22 so that this can be used for any support frame12 irrespective of the position at which this support frame 12 isarranged in a parking device 1. Fixed onto the rope 19 is a hook 20 withan eye 21. By rotating the pulley 18 the hook 20 can be moved rearwardaccording to arrow P1 from the position shown here. A support frame 12is first of all carried as according to arrow P2 to the correct heightsuch that the horizontal guide 11 in frame part 7 connects onto thehorizontal guide 13 of the parking position 2. When the two horizontalguides 11,13 are fully connected up to each other a hook 22, which hook22 is rigidly connected to support frame 12, will also fall into the eye21 of the hook 20 of the horizontal displacing means 16. By moving thehook 20 of the horizontal displacing means 16 as according to arrow P1the support frame 12 will be pulled along and the rollers 23 with whichsupport frame 12 is displaceable in horizontal guide 11 will move acrossinto horizontal guide 13 of parking position 2. Support frame 12 and thecarrying plate 5 suspended thereon can thus be displaced in horizontaldirection. It will be apparent that for the opposite effect the hook 20of the horizontal displacing means must be displaced from a positionclose to the pulley 18 in a direction opposite to that of arrow P1.

FIG. 3 shows a first parking device 24 of the type as shown in FIG. 1 oftwo storeys located above ground. Such a parking device 24 can consistfor instance of a single parking device module. The parking device 25has five storeys located above ground. In top elevation it is apparentthat the parking positions 2 is contiguous to two sides of the verticaltransporting column in which the frame part 7 is displaceable. Supply ofa vehicle can take place according to arrow P3 while delivery of theparked vehicle is possible as according to arrow P4. Finally, FIG. 3shows a parking device 26 in which one and a half storeys of the parkingdevice 26 are arranged underground and three and a half storeys aresituated above ground. It is also noted here that four parking positions2 are located in a building 27.

FIG. 4 shows a combination of two underground parking devices 28. Theentry/exit spaces 4 of parking devices 28 are located above ground atsome distance apart. The underground parking positions 2 of parkingdevices 28 are mutually contiguous. Such a combination has the advantagethat the parking capacity, particularly at peak loads, can be embodiedsufficiently large so that waiting times can remain limited.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a combination of four parking devices 29 withwhich a circulation of vehicles can be created as required, such asindicated for instance by the arrows P5. It should however be apparentthat the placing of parking devices 29 provides very many options andcan be optimized in accordance with the specific mode of use. Anotherexample hereof is shown in FIG. 6, wherein parking devices 29 connectonto each other in both transverse and lengthwise direction. When theparking combination comprises a plurality of accesses, maintenance canbe carried out on a part of the combination while the parts not beingserviced can remain in operation.

FIG. 7 shows an alternatively embodied parking device 30, wherein theparking positions 2 is contiguous to the short side of verticaltransporting column 31. When three parking devices 30 are placedcontiguously, the entry/exit spaces will thus also be mutuallycontiguous.

A completely underground variant of a combination of parking devices 30is shown in FIG. 8. Also shown here in side view is that parking devices30 can also connect onto each other in lengthwise direction, so that avehicle circulation can be realized for instance as according to thearrows P8.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic side view of a parking device 32 which showsschematically the situation where a carrying plate 5 is suspended from aframe part 7 by means of rods 6. The parking position 2 is also shown inthe situation where a carrying plate 5 suspended from rods 6 is situatedtherein. In the normal operating situation all parking positions 2 willbe provided with such a carrying plate 5. It may also be that oneparking position 2 is not provided with a carrying plate 5 since thislatter is then suspended from frame part 7 as can be seen in FIG. 9.

Another alternative embodiment is also shown in FIG. 9, wherein anaboveground part 33 of a parking device 34 is provided with a verticallydisplaceable frame part 7 and an underground part 35 of parking device34 is likewise provided with a vertically displaceable frame part 7. Itis stated emphatically here that the control of the frame parts 7 mustbe embodied such that the frame parts 7 are prevented from coming intomutual contact. The advantage of two frame parts 7 is that the device 34can put away and deliver vehicles relatively more quickly.

Finally, FIG. 10 shows yet another configuration 36 of six parkingdevices.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for moving vehicles to parking positions in a structure from a common entry/exit position, comprising:a) at least one parking position within the structure, wherein each parking position is for one vehicle and wherein each parking position has spaced horizontal guides, b) a carrying platform associated with each separate parking position for supporting one vehicle, wherein the carrying platform comprises a support frame on which a carrying plate is suspended and wherein the carrying plate has spaced horizontal guides, c) lifting means associated with the structure for vertical displacement of one carrying platform at a time between the entry/exit position and a position contiguous to a parking position, wherein the lifting means has spaced horizontal guides, d) horizontal transporting means associated with the structure for horizontal displacement of the carrying platform between the position contiguous to the parking position and the parking position, and e) wherein the horizontal guides of the lifting means and the parking position are mateable with and receive the horizontal guides of the support frame and wherein the horizontal guides of the support frame may be situated within the horizontal guides of the lifting means and of the parking position.
 2. The device for parking vehicles as claimed in claim 1, whereini) a vertical projection of the at least one parking position defines a first vertical column, ii) a vertical projection of the entry/exit position defines a second vertical column, and iii) the first vertical column is contiguous with the second vertical column.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, whereini) a vertical projection of a first parking position defines a first vertical column, ii) a vertical projection of a second parking position defines a second vertical column, iii) a vertical projection of the entry/exit position defines a third vertical column, and iv) wherein both the first vertical column and the second vertical column are contiguous with and on opposite sides of the third vertical column.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two parking positions are located vertically above each other.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting means comprises:i) a frame part, ii) a vertical guide for guiding the frame part, iii) a drive for displacing the frame part vertically along the guide, and iv) coupling means for releasable coupling of the carrying platform to the frame part.
 6. A parking assembly with at least two parking devices, wherein the assembly is a modular construction of parking device modules, each parking device module comprises:a) at least one parking position within a structure, wherein each parking position is for one vehicle and wherein each parking position has spaced horizontal guides, b) a carrying platform associated with each separate parking position for supporting one vehicle, wherein the carrying platform comprises a support frame on which a carrying plate is suspended and wherein the carrying plate has spaced horizontal guides, c) lifting means associated with the structure for vertical displacement of one carrying platform at a time between an entry/exit position and a position contiguous to a parking position, wherein the lifting means has spaced horizontal guides, d) horizontal transporting means associated with the structure for horizontal displacement of the carrying platform between the position contiguous to the parking position and the parking position, and e) wherein the horizontal guides of the lifting means and the parking position are mateable with and receive the horizontal guides of the support frame and wherein the horizontal guides of the support frame may be situated within the horizontal guides of the lifting means and of the parking position. 